Minnesotans to world: Ope! Sneak right by ya’

If there’s one thing that’s definitively Minnesotan it’s our dialect. Studied by linguists and fodder for pop culture, the way we talk developed uniquely among our immigrant farmers and laborer ancestors on the cold prairies and forests of our lake-festooned northern land.

Broadly speaking, the sound is “ope,” or “ohp.” I’d describe it as a mix of “up,” “oops,” “oh” and “hup.” And I’ve said it a thousand times. Minnesotans say this in crowded situations. It’s one part warning and one part apology.

Example: “Ope! Sneak right by ya'” is something you’d say passing through a narrow opening in a crowd. Often uttered on the way to the buffet table or restroom.

“Ope! Get around ya'” might be something said when trying to get out of a crowded theater aisle.”

Most common is probably “Ope! Sorry!”

It’s probably most jarring to non-Minnesotans when used alone. For instance, I immediately recall navigating situations where “ope” was the only sound I made. “Ope!” “Ope!” Almost like honking a car horn. “Ope!”

Redmond isn’t the first to think of this. A Reddit thread emerged last year, and this has no doubt been on the mind of non-Minnesotans who wander through our environs for some time.

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